He writes that the opening of the cultural campus uptown "may be a last hurrah."

An excerpt:

"Few American cities prospered more over the past two decades than Charlotte, its growth propelled and gilded by Wachovia and its crosstown rival, Bank of America. Executives shoehorned gaudy mansions into old neighborhoods around downtown. Workers poured into vast subdivisions on the city's ever-expanding periphery. With coffers overflowing, giddy public officials spent tax dollars on a manmade river for whitewater rafting.

"Now Charlotte is suffering. Unemployment has spiked to 12 percent, well above the national average."

It is a litte scary to read this and have reality hit you in the face. But then I sat and thought about it harder and what town, what city, what state hasn't been affected by the economic conditons of the past year? I think Charlotte is posed to make a great come back when everything begins to rebound...I'd rather be in Charlotte right now than DC, LA or New York that's for sure.

I read the article and I thought he had a fair take on things. I also noticed that the article ended on a somewhat hopeful note.

I can't decide yet whether I think Charlotte is just regrouping for the next boom or is on its way to becoming the next Winston-Salem (a city which in fact has some things, like Wake Forest, that we would love to have.)

Just as sure as we can't force a 'culture' on a new city - we can't force a new industry either. These things take time. I whole heartedly believe that we need to get our schools from good to great, get our taxes BACK in line, and offer more incentives for business' to WANT to move here. If we Attract harder, server better and 'wow' whenever possible - Charlotte's culture will be born....over time.

Have we been lead down the path of overdevelopment? You bet. Has the city unwisely chosen to side with the folks who promised a broader tax base - and perhaps turned a blind eye to everyone who has been screaming warnings from the sideline - you bet. Have a few benefited from the many? Clearly.

Until we gain control of OUR city back from the corporations that built Charlotte - there will be more of the same. It's only a matter of time before even the greatest of powers fail....

Have you been in a traffic jam in DC. OMG! I would consider it a great demotion if my company transfered me to DC. I would have to buy a house half my current size in a yard 1/4 my current size, & teach my dog how to shoot a gun.

I agree with the article, the last 20 years have been great until 2 years ago for me. I moved here in 82 with $1000 and a beat up 1970 duster. Started a contracting business had a rental house and a beautiful home I built off Providence Road. I lost all that and only wish I had that 1970 Duster to sell now. lol!

This is total BS. I hope it's considered an opinion piece. The article is filled with half truths (ie. most of the teachers fired have already been re-hired). Things are bad here - but no worse than other big cities - and much better than many.

This is a crucial time for the city of Charlotte. Really - it's a terrible time for Mayor McCrory to be stepping down, b/c this is when we need him most. He has been a huge advocate for the city and is responsible for a lot of the growth we've seen. The only possible way to avoid the city crumbling is to make sure that John Lassiter is elected Mayor. He is the only one with the experience and drive to run this city like a business, and ensure companies come here - stay here - and employee our citizens.

Wake up folks! This is retribution for Charlotte taking the #1 banking position in terms of assets on deposits from New York. Washington and Wall Street are cohorts in ensuring that the balance of financial power is restored on Wall Street. And that "balance" comes at Charlotte's expense.

The story misses two marks. It talks about thousands of teachers being laid off but never mentions that most of them got rehired. Then it seems to say Charlotte is the only city hurting now. Almost like we’re Detroit or something. Last time I checked there were several other places just as bad. Atlanta being one. Seems like the writer has an axe to grind with Charlotte.

Someone mentioned DC's traffic.It has more traffic than Charlotte because it has more jobs than Charlotte. A more diverse employer-base and a recession-proof industry called...the Federal Government, which all of us are making that way.

Wachovia and Bank of America are struggling. Reality 101And laying off or have done so.

The writer was certainly happy making his money here while he worked at the Observer. If Charlotte is such a horrible place, then I doubt his job writing stories at the little paper here would have propelled him to earn a job at the Washington Post. It may not be great here right now, but a little balanced journalism might help the cause!

To the poster at 2:54... the banks are actually hiring - at a very fast pace. Check your facts... It's not March anymore. There are a ton of opportunities at both Wells Fargo and Bank of America at the moment for folks that weren't part of the "fat trimming" that was needed anyway.

And lets not forget that the Gloria Pace King fiasco at United Way put the skids on our charitible donations long before we were feeling this recession. I don't think that piece of his equation is accurately represented in any way.

This reads more like a spiteful condescending slap than a real, informed article. CLT is in the same boat as everyone else & the banking situation is not nearly as dire as painted. Applebaum just reinforces the national assumption: that Wachovia's sale=doom for the Queen City...far from it.

As for the article, IMO, it was a sympathy piece by the Post for one of their favorite cities. Yes, some people REALLY DO like Charlotte and they have seen it as an excellent alternative to NYC, Boston, Buffalo, DC, Baltimore, Philadelphia and whereever else they find themselves in the overpriced, cold, congested streets of America. Every city Charlotte's size or bigger is full of creative/skilled transplants and they aren't just welcome, they REALLY WANTED. So come on down and get a piece of the good times that are coming to the Queen City. Have you seen our shiny new museums and light rail lately?!

Although there are a few good Yankees that now live down here, it is true that Charlotte has lost its Southern Hospitality charm that it had 10-15 years ago. I am 46 years old, born & raised here, and have seen a lot of change during that time. Not necessarily for the better.

If NYC & DC were of half the value they claim to be, why didn't they bail out their own mess. According to every published record of what really happened, BOA was the only Bank in this country that could save America from falling into a worse depression than what we have now. It is becoming very clear that Charlotte was Ground 0 for Wallstreets collapse. Merril Lynch is alot of the blame for our Charlotte's unemployment

Sheesh! This is hardly Detroit or Flint. Seems like we're getting bashed around b/c of the banks but they're not really shinking or anything although it would be nice to have some other major industry call this home. So... um... does DC have a streetcar?

I think the article laments having one industry dominatethe culture of a city ( as mentioned by others ) and the rammifications of that industry taking a hard hit.Textiles were string here years ago; now all but gone.

Anonymous 05:02:00 PM said... "I like Charlotte. Great city to raise a family."

What if you don't have a family?What if you don't need "more house for your money?"What if you don't need shiny SUV to complete your identity?What if you don't like sitting in traffic?What if your idea of a nice weekend is doing something besides mowing the grass and grilling out with the same dozen people?What if you like to hear some great live music, and socialize with people from another culture? What if you like to live in a city that's a player on the world stage?(--sorry, that ain't the QC)

Why is a writer that worked at the Charlotte Observer and decided to move on by taking a job with the Washington Post still focused on the "Queen City"? Not to mention writing an article about Charlotte in the Washington Post. I am sure Washingtonians could give a flip about Charlotte. Do you want to get your old job back at the Observer? Just something that makes you go Hmmmmmm.

Charlotte is a great city if you're single too. All the things you listed are doable...I was doing them before I got married and still doing them.You have to look harder.There are incredibly diverse international people here in Charlotte. I would say probably close to 40-50 countries represented.There is nothing wrong with an SUV or large house if you can afford it. If you don't like traffic, ride your bike or walk ( or take the train if you live close enough to walk to it ).

My idea of a great weekend is either enjoying time with my family in the backyard, going to the mountains, going to the beach or having friends over for a cookout.

To all the scum bags that are comparing Charlotte to Atlanta. There is no comparison. Charlotte has more class than Atlanta ever will. Atlanta likes to pick on the Queen city because it is jeleous that Charlotte is smaller and gets more press. Atlanta is no New York and never will be. Charlotte is happy with who it is. We are not trying to be something we are not hint, hint:)

Truth is Charlotte exists in a state where the capital is actually competition. What other city faces that type of opposition but still remains progressive? So, with that being said I think as long as Raleigh can suck money from us we will always struggle one way or the other. As for Atlanta, there isn't a comparison. I have heard so many wanna be rappers, thugs, hoodlums, and bad news girls, (bad circle of friends huh?) say they're tired of Charlotte and want to move to Atlanta.... shoot, I say all we have to do is wait it out! North Carolina as a whole is special. I can't think of too many states that can offer multiple cities to choose from, every type of environment except a desert, and people who actually care how we're viewed. To me, Charlotte is the biggest city here for a reason, I don't kno the reason, but I'm sure its a good one. We're gonna bounce back.

The Charlotte area is not what I would call "classy". Gastonia, Rock, Hill, Concord, ewwwwww! Raleigh-Durham has more class than Charlotte.

Atlanta is on a whole other level and has way more class than any metro area in NC. You can't compare the shopping, dining, diversity, a REAL international airport, amount of wealth, and amount of businesses and Fortune 500 companies.

Let's face it, Charlotte isn't that great. For such a "big, world class city" I've never seen so many rednecks in my life... Sure there are rednecks all over, but at least places like Greenville, SC and Birmingham, AL don't claim to be "big, world class cities". Classy and redneck/country aren't the same thing, sorry folks!

Its funny that all you northerners suddenly become SO tough on the internet. I would be willing to bet you don't have such a big mouth when your bagging my groceries or pumping my gas. You're second class citizens from second class cities who are beneath us so just leave.

Why do we always compare ourselves to Atlanta. They are two different cities. You can like them both. NC is home, but man Atlanta is great, has everything, and is actually more southern (and interesting) than Charlotte.

OH NO!! NOT AN EGG...REALLY? WHAT WILL I DO? I GUESS I BETTER QUIT POSTING SINCE YOU ARE SO SERIOUS. Give me a break Poindexter, let me know when you're leaving so I can give you a nice going away gift.

"Why do we always compare ourselves to Atlanta. They are two different cities. You can like them both. NC is home, but man Atlanta is great, has everything, and is actually more southern (and interesting) than Charlotte."

Better rated schools, lower crime and annual murders, a better and more diverse economy, more jobs, is now dependent on one/two industries, more colleges, and a more central location.

So to all comparing Charlotte with real cities, put the rum down. It's expanded the past decade by claiming more county land. People 5 minutes from SC and Concord Mills has "Charlotte" addresses.Misleading size as a result...

Gotta goTime to go shop in downtown Charlotte for a new suit, dress, groceries...

Oooops, its after 6pm and everyone is gone from the town (railroad tracks still stop cars like Mayberry) and guess what...there is no where to buy what I listed above - even at noon on any day.Cause its still a (larger) town...

Better rated schools, lower crime and annual murders, a better and more diverse economy, more jobs, is now dependent on one/two industries, more colleges, and a more central location.

So to all comparing Charlotte with real cities, put the rum down. It's expanded the past decade by claiming more county land. People 5 minutes from SC and Concord Mills has "Charlotte" addresses.Misleading size as a result...

Raleigh? What? People from other parts of the country don't even know what state Raleigh is in. Your city sucks and so does that pathetic Wolfpack football team.

Maybe some peopne don't have a choice and have to relocate with their job (yes, these situations happen and no, it isn't always easy or possible to find another job where you live). Believe it or not, most people move here because of their job. Some take the plunge and they like it and others figure out they do not like it. Some people fall for the "hype" and realize it's not all that great. However, I don't expect a redneck like you to understand any of that. You don't ever leave where you are from, not because you love it so much, but because you know you CAN'T make it anywhere else.

I just moved back here 4 months ago after being away for 14 years living in Dallas, Texas. You can call me whatever you want, BUT when I lay my head down at night, I sleep like a baby because I'm exactly where I want to be unlike you. I transferred with my job as well so people who are in demand can live where they want and not make excuses like you. But, look on the brightside, we don't want you here no more than you want to be here...that much this REDNECK understands!

Someone wrote"Raleigh? What? People from other parts of the country don't even know what state Raleigh is in. Your city sucks and so does that pathetic Wolfpack football team."

I don't reside in Raleigh, but since you mentioned Raleigh. Notice who the Washington Post accurately wrote about today. Wasn't Raleigh, that has state jobs and more profitable companies by far than Charlotte does. Speaking of college football teams, since you mentioned it, how is UNCC's doing? And where is your downtown shopping that big cities have?

Well I am glad you have found a place that makes you happy! I already know where that place is for me, and it's not Charlotte. You're whole "we don't want you here either" thing doesn't bother me. I don't care about you or what you think! In the meantime, I hope me being here continues to piss you off.

I don't reside in Raleigh, but since you mentioned Raleigh. Notice who the Washington Post accurately wrote about today. Wasn't Raleigh, that has state jobs and more profitable companies by far than Charlotte does. Speaking of college football teams, since you mentioned it, how is UNCC's doing? And where is your downtown shopping that big cities have?

WHAT? You don't live IN Raleigh? Well then how do you benefit from all these great schools and benefits of living in Raleigh? Just face it, you're little brother, and by the way UNCC is still undefeated last time I checked. As far as shopping, I could care less, I don't sit around with MY buddies asking if they've seen the NEW Abercrombie line. Halloween is upon us so I hope you and YOUR buddies have a nice tickle fight.

Most people in Atlanta have never have traveled outside of Atlanta. Kuntry with a capital K. Trust me the secret is out. Atlantans can't drive. Atlantans are backwards. Everybody has a red "G" on their truck (HA, HA, HA)and never went to the college. Housewives of Atlanta embarassing (OMG)! Ignorant people thant can't talk. Peachtree road other than that it is off the beatin path (Kuntry). There is nothing about Atlanta that says world class city. What is the point of having transit if people don't use it (suburbia). Atlantans have no style pretenders. The food sucks compared to the "QC". Bland, Bland, Bland! If you like drugs, strip clubs, tramps, traffic, killings live in the ATL ehh, ehh ehh isn't that what you guys say down der (stupid).

Actually, I am here because my parents job relocated us here. My parents are doing great and do not live above their means. They like it, because it's great for people their age. For me, not so much. Once I graduate from UNCC in December I'm getting the hell out of this hicktown.

Shawn, you're an idiot. Let's see, 5.5 million people in Atlanta compared to 1.7 million in Charlotte and Atlanta is "kuntry"? OOOOKK. The population of Fulton and Dekalb Counties equals the metro area of Charlotte! Gwinnett County, a suburban county, has almost as many people as Mecklenburg! Atlanta is far from "kuntry".

Also, Atlanta is known as the DINING and SHOPPING CAPITAL of the SOUTHEAST. And what Real Housewives show is not embarrassing???

Let's compare Raleigh and Charlotte where it matters most - IMPACT. Charlotte has (or HAD) banking impact per today's article. But Raleigh has controlled Charlotte since the 1800's and will always control you. In Charlotte, Pat McCrory is a demi-God. In Raleigh, where he's failed to get to (cause that's where the STATE IMPACT is made), he's another failed Charlotte politician that couldn't have statewide IMPACT. Notice that Jesse Helms had to leave Charlotte to have greater IMPACT. And Raleigh controls your $. Notice your 485 is not finished but Raleigh's outer Beltline is?

Shawn says "Forget graduation get out now! Go to the ATL and get a real Kuntry edumacation."

Do you really want to compare the caliber (do you know what that word means?) of colleges in the Atlanta area to Charlotte? Hmm, let's see, UNCC, Johnson C. Smith, Johnson and Wales, Belmont Abbey to Georgia Tech, Emory, Georgia State, Oglethorpe University, Spelman, Clark Atlanta, Morehouse, SCAD Atlanta, University of Georgia. You can get a better education in Atlanta and that's why more companies move there! DUH. Same with Raleigh-Durham.

Let's compare Raleigh and Charlotte where it matters most - IMPACT. Charlotte has (or HAD) banking impact per today's article. But Raleigh has controlled Charlotte since the 1800's and will always control you. In Charlotte, Pat McCrory is a demi-God. In Raleigh, where he's failed to get to (cause that's where the STATE IMPACT is made), he's another failed Charlotte politician that couldn't have statewide IMPACT. Notice that Jesse Helms had to leave Charlotte to have greater IMPACT. And Raleigh controls your $. Notice your 485 is not finished but Raleigh's outer Beltline is?

So I guess the NFL, NBA and the largest banks in the country chose Charlotte over Raleigh because of Raleighs impact? PLEASE, somebody has apparently brainwashed you, but lets be honest, it didn't take much. You're only industry worth its salt is medical research because they know they can use all you rednecks as lab rats. Congrats on the Hurricanes though...slow clap.

FYI, MARTA rail transit may not be as good as say, DC's rail transit, but it's ridership is in the top 10 nationally. I wouldn't say "nobody uses it".

I don't think that is correct. People may want to use it but Atlantans alwyas seem to miss the train as a result of trying to avoid talking to your drug infested bums always begging for money all over atlanta. The truth hurts!

My badWho said nobody uses the "light" rail system that's real light and named right. Going in one direction and back like a Carowinds ride with like 2-3 attached cars. Not exactly a big city or even city model. After 7pm, its as dead as Charlotte's big city downtown...

Wow. Why all the hate for Charlotte? No, this is not Atlanta. There is good and bad in both places. I love living in Charlotte. I have to agree...if you don't like it here then there is a huge world of places you can go. One thing though. nice as Atlanta is, it can't hold a candle to Miami when it comes to nightlife, shopping, diversity, etc.. Raleigh? I've lived there too and I did not like it at all, but it's a great place to live for many. Yes, if you like Atlanta then I agree you should just move there and not look back. Take your hate with you too, please.

Name another city that lost an NFL or NBA team within a decade.DrumrollCharlotteIsn't Hornets from 'Hornet's Nest', a Charlotte myth to be proud of? Then why are they in a real US city like New Orleans?

Last I checked, Raleigh has a pro title. Charlotte has a forgotten Super Bowl visit (loss)...

"It's called smart controlled growth but if you are from Atlanta you would not understand that."

WHERE IS THIS SMART CONTROLLED GROWTH? Charlotte is just as spread out, it's just not filled in like Atlanta! Don't be so naive. I feel sorry for you, I really do. You still didn't answer my question. How and where is Charlotte more city like and less "kuntry" than Atlanta. I want examples. Wait, you can't give any, because you have no idea what you're talking about.

Hey man I call it like I see it. Unlike some of my fellow Charlotteans who have never lived in Atlanta I made the stupid decision to move there from Charlotte in the pursuit of luv. I wised up real quickly and cut my losses. So yes I do know what I am talking about. My tour was 7 years. What a nightmare.

Who gives a rats a$$ about a light rail or subway system? Lets be honest, it was designed primarily to take the less fortunate (like you) to your $8 dollar an hour job. The people who matter don't need it and don't take it, but in the meantime enjoy being part of the "ridership."

Hey readers this is what I am talking about. What major city do you know does not have an efficient mass transit system? (just Atlanta) Let's not talk about pollution. Yea I have a nice car but I am also eco friendy. Do you know what that is Mr. Atlanta?

Name another city that lost an NFL or NBA team within a decade.DrumrollCharlotteIsn't Hornets from 'Hornet's Nest', a Charlotte myth to be proud of? Then why are they in a real US city like New Orleans?

Last I checked, Raleigh has a pro title. Charlotte has a forgotten Super Bowl visit (loss)...

HAHAHAHAHA...I knew it! I knew you were gonna bring up your "pro title!" Give me a break, how many Raleigh natives are on that team? How many americans on on the team for that matter? When they get a player with less than 12 letters in his last name let me know. Yeah, the Hornets left, BUT guess what the NBA decided it HAD to have a team in Charlotte not Raleigh. Granted, the Bobcats suck. New Orleans, a real american city? Really? Their mayor says it is a chocolate city and I would love to see the numbers on that dump!

"Hey readers this is what I am talking about. What major city do you know does not have an efficient mass transit system? (just Atlanta) Let's not talk about pollution. Yea I have a nice car but I am also eco friendy. Do you know what that is Mr. Atlanta?"

Los Angeles? Houston? Miami? I KNOW there are more people in Atlanta who are eco-friendly than in Charlotte. Charlotte is a conservative, pick-up driving town.

Shawn, it was a nightmare because you're "kuntry". "Kuntry" people can't survive outside of the "kuntry". That's why you moved back to Charlotte, because it's "kuntry" enough for you.

I am actually communicating with you from Toronto Canada. But I just love Charlotte! I had some great times there unlike Atlanta. People from Atlanta are so insecure. Before I left Atlanta I told people I was moving to Toronto they didn't even know where that was, do you?

Hey readers this is what I am talking about. What major city do you know does not have an efficient mass transit system? (just Atlanta) Let's not talk about pollution. Yea I have a nice car but I am also eco friendy. Do you know what that is Mr. Atlanta?

If you wanna ride a bus or take a train Prius Boy then go somewhere where you deem the city to have the appropriate accommodations for you. Better yet, Eco Boy, ride your bike that was completely made from hemp to work and you will be doing the world a huge favor....thanks.

If you wanna ride a bus or take a train Prius Boy then go somewhere where you deem the city to have the appropriate accommodations for you. Better yet, Eco Boy, ride your bike that was completely made from hemp to work and you will be doing the world a huge favor....thanks.

I put my money where my mouth is, I did! I got out of dodge. Even though Charlotte has lost some banks read your Atlanta Business Journal I swear companies are overlooking Atlanta and choosing Charlotte to re-locate. How is that? A mega city like the ATL is loosing business to little ol Charlotte. Well let's talk about infrastructure, crime, schools (Clayton County you know what I am referring too), traffic. I can go on and on and on etc...

I put my money where my mouth is, I did! I got out of dodge. Even though Charlotte has lost some banks read your Atlanta Business Journal I swear companies are overlooking Atlanta and choosing Charlotte to re-locate. How is that? A mega city like the ATL is loosing business to little ol Charlotte. Well let's talk about infrastructure, crime, schools (Clayton County you know what I am referring too), traffic. I can go on and on and on etc...

Atlanta losing jobs to Charlotte? Not really. I guess you are not aware of NCR's world headquarters move from its home of 125 years to the Atlanta area. This relocation is expected to bring up to 1250 jobs to the area. NCR is a F500 company. NCR's relocation to the Atlanta area bolsters Atlanta's importance in the technology field. Another Fortune 500 company, FirstData, is also relocating it's headquarters to Atlanta. Also, Doosan Infracore Inernational will move its North American corporate offices to Atlanta. Hartsfield-Jackson International Airport as well as Atlanta's large Korean population was sited as reason for the move. I'm pretty sure Charlotte lost out on Doosan to Atlanta! This isn't all of it either. Hmm, it seems like you haven't been reading the Atlanta Business Journal......

What "major city" has railroad tracks to cross like Mayberry RFD?Thus not a major city at all, but a large town with pro sports like Orlando and Nashville and Memphis.Having pro sports doesnt make you a major, national and worldwide player. Sorry to tell you that. Impact and influence does.

Raleigh is the most infliential city in NC, which is why McCrory and Gantt and others have tried to get there. They only have LOCAL impact in Charlotte. Bev Purdue IN RALEIGH has STATE IMPACT. In DC and NYC, WORLDWIDE IMPACT. Charlotte isn't that major city you dream it is///

The large town of Charlotte has fewer Fortune 500 companies headquartered in Charlotte than Durham does. Less than 10 I read.Can no longer count Wachovia, which is now headquartered in Cali.Today's articile, which started all of this with its reality by the ex Charlotte Observer guy, explained this in great detail.

HEY SHAWN. Since you live in Toronto, have you ever heard of or driven on Highway 401: the busiest and WIDEST freeway in North America? You know what that means? It means a lot of people drive there! Although Toronto may be denser and more walkable than the city of Atlanta, there is just as much if not more sprawl and suburbia in the Toronto area. Enough to have North America's busiest and widest freeway!

lol. When did this blog turn in to a school yard playground? The majority of comments here are just plain immature and have little to do with the actual article.

For all the people that like living in CLT, glad you're here.

For all the people who don't like living in CLT, sorry. You can always leave. Unless of course you don't have the means to. If that is the case, too bad. Suck it up until you do. But no one likes to hear people complain all the time.

I am actually from here and do like living here. I'd never stay in a place I didn't like.

Granted I've also lived in South Fla., NYC, L.A., & Dallas, TX. But I've never even had the urge to compare one place to another. Why? Because it's pointless. No two cities are the same. That's the point.

Ever notice how nearly every picture of downtown, yes I said Downtown, Charlotte run by the CO manages to exclude any image of First Union(aka..., aka...) buildings? Unless the article is specifically about FU, there is no sign of it in the pictures. The composition and backlighting make for a very nice picture for this article. Just seems odd that the other bank's buildings seem to be ignored.

If you want better (schools, roads, police etc.) get involved. Call your elected officials. Run for office. Write letters. Attend council meetings. DO SOMETHING. Yapping on the internet sure doesn't help.

If you want a (bigger city, smaller city, warmer climate, colder climate, different demographic) then go find it. These things are different everywhere.

Don't make excuses for yourself, or others. Recognize the things you need and do what it takes to make it happen.

Someone said Raleigh can't afford pro sports. Where did the Hornet's go? Were they afforded? Maybe for 5 minutes. What about the arena they played in? Wasted property. The Whitewater Center? More wasted $ as the article pointed out. Re-read the article today from today. All built by banking, wasted by banking and lost due to banking.

Please, can someone point me to another city in this country that has such a love hate relationship among people that live there.

Charlotte stirs up more hatred than any other city in the country, and for GOOD reason.

The Charlotte realtors/sellers even showed up to the WashPost website, with the "come and see for yourself" quotes.

Wait, look at us we have the Epimall, and a new art museum, Soon a pro sports hall of fame, not to mention a 50 story residential tower. Truly World class huh, but Charlotte has the worst and most useless people in the world, totally full of themselves for no reason.

Who cares what this guy Appelbaum writes? These types are always critics and never creators. He was obviously just a neo-carpetbagger, a rootless cosmopolitan nomad with no true connections to this city who ended up skipping town once the overall economy in the area started to slow down. We don't need or want his kind here.

CLT is an interesting place. I'm a 'yankee" who went to college & grad school in the RTP and have lived in various parts of the US [Boston, NYC, DC, KC], and London.I had visited Charlotte several times while living in the RTP and then spent a year there planning to stay. People are friendly and the city/town is beautiful. I enjoy the museums and theater in CLT, but think it is overall limited and a rather boring city. It might lack traffic, but it is one of the most confusing cities to get around in.

I agree because Raleigh is the seat of NC's government, but Raleigh is less of a city and much more of a HUGE suburb. A great model of 'Sprawlsville USA,' MUCH more than Charlotte and other cities. Also, I'm pretty sure the non-natives outnumber the native North Carolinians in Wake County now. The main advantage that Raleigh has over Charlotte is the large numbers of universities and colleges in the area. Charlotte definitely needs to expand its local colleges and universities BIG TIME.

You must also understand that Charlotte is not only the biggest city in NC, but also in SC as well. Charlotte is right on the border with SC, its city limits stretching to the state line. Thus Charlotte is also one of the most important cities of SC too; Charlotte is the main city which links both of the Carolinas.

i agree that Raleigh is a suburb- I always refer to it as a glorified suburb. It lacks the cosmopolitan/metropolitan flair. It does have a more liberal attitude, with impressive diversity, and world class universities. The lack of "city" and even the lack of access to a city always bothered me when I lived in the RTP although it's a great place- nice people, great climate.However, as much as Charlotte has a skyline, major airport, and a light rail, it is otherwise as much of a suburban-type city with CLT expanding into areas that are a far cry from a metropolitan city.The bottom line- there is somewhere for everyone. We make our own happiness. CLT has so many pros- great weather, good cost of living, access to mtns and beach... but it's otherwise small and limiting. No where is really perfect- I've lived lots of places!

That is the problem with Charlotte ....North South wanna be atlanta wanna be NY wanna be whatever .... why dont everybody who complains make the city you live in better?? what did YOU do to make it better??

As I said in the last post, Charlotte REALLY needs to expand its presence in higher education, which is one of NC's major overall strong points. The NC Upstate obviously has us beat big time in this respect. For such a large city, Charlotte has a huge deficiency of colleges and universities.

The City of Charlotte should either try to (1) found one or more new private smaller elitish liberal arts similar to Davidson located directly in downtown and/or just majorly expand and 'elitize' Queens; (2) perk up the state, regional, and national reputation of the already existing local colleges/universities like UNCC, Queens, JC Smith, etc; (3) petition the state government to build another public college/university here directly in downtown, especially something which focuses on professional schooling (medicine, law, business, engineering, etc) -- it would be called something like 'UNC Professional College' or something like that, similar to the UNC School of the Arts. Funnel the best of the best from NC in to this new professional college instead of having them all funnel in to UNC Chapel Hill, Wake Forest, NC State, Duke, etc...those colleges and unis have all been mostly taken over by out-of-staters already anyhow.

And after all that, the University of NC at Charlotte (UNCC) should then promptly be renamed to the University of NC at Concord. ;)

Charlotte should also seek to cultivate MUCH closer ties with the city of Winston-Salem -- both cities are similar in many ways, and very close to each other...during good traffic, a person can drive from Charlotte to Winston-Salem in only about 1 hour. Perhaps a twice daily quick train-line could be built between Charlotte and Winston to facilitate more close contact and commerce between the two cities?

Not just linking up with Winston actually, but the entire I-85 corridor.

As many others have, I envision a high-speed rail line stretching from Charlotte up through Winston/Greensboro/HP and then on to Raleigh/Durham/CH. From there, high speed passenger rail can link up parallel to I-95 then on up to DC/Baltimore and thus Philly, NYC, Boston, etc.

Looking south, the rail-line in Charlotte can then head I-85 south through upstate SC (linking to Greenville) and then on to Atlanta. What is needed is a linkage of all these major cities that has more efficient and quicker ways of transporting people aside from cars. This would link up the entire East Coast by passenger rail all the way from Boston to Atlanta, or even further south to Miami.

Building this rail line would be a major job-creator for years to come.

On the West Coast, a similar high speed passenger rail-line should be built from San Diego all the way up to Seattle.

I wouldn't want to be in Atlanta once the water supply runs out down there. That actually almost happened back in 2007 during that horrible drought the entire South had. That historic drought was probably caused by all of the trees we have cut down in the last 10-20 years here in this part of the Southeast due to the new invasion of Yanks and others, mostly immigrants following the Yanks in...believe it or not, the trees and other natural vegetation of a region actually 'interacts' with the atmosphere to produce rain and humidity. Thus, when you cut down most of the trees and clear the land for houses, parking lots, shopping centers, skyscrapers, etc, the land eventually becomes a desert or semi-desert. Did you know that lower Italy, Spain, and North Africa used to be heavily forested back in ancient Greek/Roman times? Now desertification has occurred there since they cut down all the trees and thus all the rain has went away as a result, and the incessant winds have blown away the topsoil.

Who cares about being a 'world-class' city? The rampant growth of cities and 'urbanism' is a major sign of cultural and civilizational degeneration. Haven't you ever read Spengler?

"Writing in the early twentieth century, Oswald Spengler described the character of world cities as follows: 'Spirit is non-existent in these cities. They are land in petrified form.' Cities play a particularly tragic role in Spengler's Doomsday scenario entitled The Decline of the West. For Spengler, cities were places where life ossified because the bodies, souls, and spirits of their inhabitants grew barren there. For this philosopher of history, the rise of the city heralded the start of the decline, not only of the West, but of all civilisations.

Spengler gave two reasons for his belief that the proliferation and growth of cities is an indication of the impending downfall of society. Firstly, he believed that by settling in cities, societies would enfeeble themselves both spiritually and culturally. He considered cities to be petrified, static structures in which social life could not flourish nor cultural renewal take place, let alone that they could be a source from which spiritual greatness could emanate." - http://www.goethe.de/ges/phi/prj/ffs/the/sta/en3042692.htm

"What makes the man of the world-cities incapable of living on any but this artificial footing is that the cosmic beat in his being is every decreasing, while the tensions of his waking- consciousness become more and more dangerous...this then, is the conclusion of the city's history; growing from primitive barter-centre to Culture-city and at last to world-city, it sacrifices first the blood and soul of its creators to the needs of its majestic evolution, and then the first flower of that growth to the spirit of civilization--and so, doomed, moves on to final self-destruction." - http://www.duke.edu/~aparks/SPENGO.html

i might be alone on this - but does anyone agree that the media, who only reports the bad, is partially responsible for the fear that they've driven into the "headline" readers? you wouldn't believe how many people i've talked to who had no idea the DOW was above 10,000 points. or had no clue how are home prices have stabilized. Where's the accountability? Where's the optimism? We live in fast, dynamic environment and our recovery will not take as long as it may have back in other comparable recessions.

I moved to Charlotte from Chicago five years ago. It's a decent city, but has nowhere near the level of sophistication that it's natives thinks it has. The public schools here are an unfortunate joke, and this does not bode well for future competitiveness. The majority of the IT talent that is used in the financial institutions comes from H1B Indians or 'Yankees' recruited from the northern states because they have a better education and work ethic. If it weren't for the weather, I'd move to a more educated city in a heartbeat.

agreed.... i lived in charlotte briefly and originally thought i'd live there long-term or indefinitely. the weather is great. it's a beautiful city... but the city is a lot smaller than i thought after living there. after all the hype CLT has recently rec'd such as "best city to live in..." I was surprised to find such high crime, poor public schools, low diversity, etc. not the worst place by far-- every city has its charm and CLT has some for sure. I'm a big fan of the state of NC in general.... lots of pros. but perhaps CLT wasn't the dream city I was hoping for.

I love the haters on here touting Raleigh. Raleigh vs. Charlotte, no comparison and I'm from the eastern part of the state. When I'm driving back east, the only thing I stop in Raleigh for is to use the bathroom. Fact, Charlotte has everything that Raleigh/Durham/Triangle/RTP ( whatever the name of the day) has and then some. The only exception is in Colleges, which is only natural b/c for some reason Raleigh is the so-called state capitol. Fact is, Charlotte has influence in NC and SC. Most Charlotteans would vote to be removed from NC in a heartbeat, due to poor and corrupt state government in Raleigh. The state government in Raleigh is a joke, the state legislature in Raleigh has always shorted and hated Charlotte and therefore has always kept state money in Raleigh. This is history and a fact. That's why Raleigh has new highways everywhere, but yet it is still very boring, Raleigh's downtown is a joke, the sports teams suck, Hurricanes? are you serious? What is that? Sorry, I can't find them on national tv. Your arena is in a cow-field, next to the state fairgrounds, yes, very world-class of you Raleigh. The people who are hating on Charlotte are lying. I've lived here for 15 years and I love it. I stand up for my city b/c I make good money here, I live in a nice home, I can go to an NFL or NBA game, I can go to NoDA, Plaza/Midwood, SouthPark, Ballentyne, LAKE WYLIE or LAKE NORMAN, EPICENTER too many beautiful places to name. There is diversity in Charlotte, I should know, because I'm a minority and if there was no diversity in Charlotte then I wouldn't stay here, hence the exact reason why I don't live in Raleigh/RTP/Triangle whatever and its lack of overall diversity. All the diversity in that area is in Durham, no thanks. Downtown Charlotte is alive every weekend, traffic jams late night on Tryon and College streets. For people to come on here and say Charlotte's downtown is dead, then they are just straight up lying. I actually spend alot of time downtown and its certainly not dead, its growing, yes it does need more retail and in time those things will come as has everything else that has shown up downtown recently in the ever changing and ever evolving Charlotte. Due to my work I travel often, I've been to all major US cities and no Charlotte is not New York and it is not even Atlanta or Miami, but it is not a "big-town" either and for people to come on this board and call Charlotte a "big-town" is just plain laughable. Charlotte has among the top 10 busiest ariports in the US and its a "big-town"? Growth and development is still strong in Charlotte and has only been slowed like everywhere else by the economy. Even with the loss of Wachovia, Charlotte still has more Fortune 500 companies headquartered here than anywhere else in the Southeast except for Atlanta. This brilliant article never mentions the companies that have since relocated here including GMAC and Wells Fargo has kept almost 95% of the Wachovia workforce. He never mentions the grand opening of the new Nascar HOF next year, the planned extension of the light-rail system all things that will happen in the future as it always has in Charlotte. The biggest proble Charlotte has is with its public school system, which is now second largest in the state behind good-ole wholesome Raleigh-Wake county due to people in Charlotte choosing private schools. CMS gets only bad press in the local newspaper for some reason and has many probles to resolve. I moved to Charlotte, I've lived and visited other cities and have chosen to stay here. It's not perfect, its not utopia, there is no utopic city in the US. In the long run, Charlotte despite Raleigh state government, will be fine.

Nail squarely on the head with the "gaudy mansions" quip. Too many developers trying to turn a quick buck carelessly throwing up square footage with total disregard for the neighborhood. Too many nouveau riche willing to buy a cheaply built monstrosity wedged on an otherwise beautiful tree-lined street of historic homes. In some ways, the slowdown has been a relief.

"Wonder how Duke Energy, the second largest electric utility system in the US and currently a leader on energy policy, feels about being called "a regional power company [unnamed]"?"

I work there so I can answer that question... That's exactly what Duke is. There are no "national" power companies. Duke has projects all over the country (serving NC, SC, OH, IN, and a little of KY electricity, wind power projects in TX and Wyoming, selling that electricity to local utilities), but no one is really concerned with being labled a "regoinal power company" in a newspaper.

As for Charlotte itself, Charlotte is WAY too preoccupied with what other cities think of it (see all the Raleigh/NY/ATL/DC comparisons on this blog), and by and large, the people of Charlotte are WAY too preoccupied with what other people think of them. We really need to get over that.

And on the political front, all Deomocrats want to raise taxes to spend more money. All Republicans want to borrow more money to spend more money. When voting, you just have to decide if you want higher taxes or more local, state and national debt.

About Mary and The Naked City blog

Mary Newsom is an Observer associate editor and op-ed columnist who's been covering growth, neighborhoods, urban design, sustainable development and related topics since 1995. In "The Naked City" you'll read her take on those topics and others.